A 36-year old man who died after taking amphetamine had not been forcibly injected, an inquest has heard.


Gavin Thomas of Castle Street in Nelson was found collapsed on the floor at his home on July 27.


An inquest into his death at Burnley Magistrates Court, heard that police had been called to his house after there were suggestions that he had been forcibly injected.


He had suffered from a heart attack, and despite being resuscitated the lack of oxygen to his brain had caused irreversible damage.


Mr Thomas was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital on the evening of the 27th but died the following day.


Coroner Richard Taylor said: “After Mr Thomas had collapsed there was some suggestion that he had been forcibly injected, however forensics from the scene show that this was not the case.”


Speaking at the inquest, Detective Sergeant Charlie Haynes from Pennine CID, said: “There was evidence of drug use in not just one room but throughout the whole house.


"It appeared that amphetamine injecting was taking place on a daily basis.”
A post mortem report found that he had injection marks in his thigh and groin, as well as marks at previous injection sites. 


Amphetamine was found in his blood as well as diazepam and some naproxen.
The report stated that his death was caused by hypoxic ischemic brain damage after his brain was deprived of oxygen following a heart attack.


His mother Mrs Thomas said: “He had looked fit and healthy, he seemed really well. He previously said he was using heroin but he said he stopped that and said he wasn’t taking anything anymore.”


Coroner Richard Taylor said: “He had been taking drugs for twenty odd years. He thought that he would be ok taking them but on this occasion he was not. “
He returned a verdict of a drugs related death.